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Since the public was not invited to the county-funded $424 lunch at the Olde Pink House on Jan. 25, it was unclear to city officials, in addition to Chatham Commissioners, why Chairman Al Scott was requesting the removal of Hutchinson Island from the city’s jurisdiction.

Documents obtained later through an open-records request indicate Scott believed de-annexation would help spur development on the island, including the construction of a tax-supported convention center hotel.

Click here to view the documents requested, including the receipt from the meal at the Olde Pink House.

A letter dated Jan. 31 from County Attorney Jon Hart notified City Attorney Brooks Stillwell that the county planned to seek the removal of Hutchinson from Savannah’s jurisdiction and move the hotel development forward.

A letter dated Aug. 13 from County Manager Russ Abolt to City Manager Stephanie Cutter sought a response from the city as to whether they would participate in backing the hotel’s funding plan or invest in infrastructure needed for the project.

If the city did not make its interest clear, the county would have a difficult time drafting an agreement with Hutchinson Hotel Holdings to help the developer obtain private investors, Abolt said.

The $138 million project would be funded with $30 million in bonds backed by the county, or another public entity, and $20 million in tax-funded bonds, according to the plan outlined in the letter.

The city was asked for a commitment to establish a tax district that would devote increased property tax revenue, along with hotel/motel tax revenue, toward the payment of $20 million in bonds.

In addition, the county wanted the city to establish an Opportunity Zone in northwest Savannah, where Yamacraw Village is located, so the developer could receive tax credits that would help pay down debt. Employee preference would then be given to impoverished neighborhoods.

The bonds and private funding would go toward the construction of a 500-room hotel that proponents said would lure large conventions to the trade center by reserving 400 rooms for such events — something they said a privately funded hotel could not afford to do.

Opponents, such as Morris Manning & Martin attorney Rusty Ross, have argued that public support would lead to unfair competition with privately funded hotels.

Scott and county staff requested the de-annexation as Chatham’s development agreement with Hutchinson Hotel Holdings neared its expiration. The county commission, in a 5-4 vote, had approved extending the agreement by one year on March 22, 2013.

While city officials are open to considering the proposals, they do not want to support anything until the county commission officially approves moving ahead with the project, said spokesman Bret Bell.

“We considered this an ongoing matter and proposed to have further discussions,” Bell said.